"Lelepa's paramount chief Ruben Natamatewia III stated, 'There needs to be lots of consultation so every person here understands what they are doing and can approve the work to go ahead.'"
"The council of chiefs criticized the environmental impact assessment commissioned by Royal Caribbean, stating, 'The current EIA is incomplete, misleading, and does not meet the standards required under Vanuatu law.'"
"The chiefs are calling for construction work not to go ahead until outstanding assessments and consultations are accepted by the chiefs and customary owners."
"The council has also called for a cultural heritage assessment to ensure customary sites are not affected by Royal Caribbean's development."
Indigenous community leaders in Vanuatu have expressed strong opposition to Royal Caribbean's plans for a private beach club on Lelepa Island. They argue that the company's environmental impact assessments are inadequate and misleading. The development could threaten fragile ecosystems and a nearby UNESCO world heritage site. The chiefs demand that construction not proceed until proper consultations and assessments are completed. They emphasize the need for community understanding and approval before moving forward with the project, which aims to host up to 5,000 visitors daily by 2027.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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